Any chance at Johns Hopkins?

Applying to College
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am a current high school senior. I will be applying to Johns Hopkins regular decision, and I was wondering about my chances. </p>

<p>I have a 4.15 weighted GPA from my junior year (4.00 unweighted; my high school gives .05 for each AP class). I am ranked 6th out of 316. I currently attend a regional academic-year magnet school for math/science at a college campus for half of the school day. My senior year classes include AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, Linear Algebra, AP Calculus AB, AP Government, AP English Literature, Research and Latin II (The magnet school courses (Physics, Linear Algebra, Government, Research) courses don't actually have the AP prefix at the magnet school. They have their own names, i.e. "Physics II", but we are dual enrolled and prepared for the AP exams). The dual enrolled Research course requires us to complete a year long research project for competition, so I suppose that looks good. I took 3 AP Classes during my junior year--AP Physics B, AP US History, AP English Language--but my other classes were on an honors level (Precalculus, anatomy, chemistry). By the time I graduate, I will have 7 AP/Dual enrollment classes, not counting the dual enrolled Linear Algebra and Research courses. I also took honors courses as an underclassman. </p>

<p>I took the AP English Language Exam last May and got a 5. My SAT I score was a 2010 (I wasn't happy with it, but it is 600 points higher than my HS average.) However, I earned a 31 on the ACT and plan on submitting this score. My subject tests were decent--Math I-680, Math II-690, and unfortunately Literature - 620. I am undecided whether submitting the Literature score would be a good idea or not. </p>

<p>I have several extracurricular activities (Debate, National Honor Society, etc.) as well as a good amount of community service and some leadership experience. I have won numerous academic awards (15+) and have been given recognition awards for community service, etc. I also was the sole student nominated at my high school for the Jefferson Scholarship at the University of Virginia. </p>

<p>I have already scheduled an interview to help my chances, and I have strong JHU-specific recommendations from my English, math, and physics teachers from last year. My AP English teacher from last year apparently put that I was one of the most intelligent students she has taught in the past 36 years, so I suppose that is a plus. My two possible majors are English and Mathematics, the latter which is supported by strong high school preparation (6 courses). I heard Johns Hopkins puts a lot of admission weight on this, but I don't know for sure.</p>

<p>With good essays and all, do you think I stand a reasonable chance?</p>

2

<p>By the way, I retook Math II, and I am confident that I scored in the 700s.</p>

3

<p>Anyone at all?</p>

4

<p>I think you have a decent chance (hit or miss really) - if you have great essays. Your course load is good, as are your GPA and ECs. However, your scores are on the low side.</p>

5

<p>Yeah, my scores are definitely the worst part of my application, but my ACT is at about their 50th percentile, right in the middle of their range. Should I even submit my subject test scores? I’ve never studied for standardized tests, and thats regrettable, but I don’t see those scores adding anything to my application. They seem like they would subtract more instead. Some colleges don’t even want the Subject Tests if you submit the ACT. I couldn’t find anything certain about JHU in that area, but I did see a post from an admissions person on their site saying either “SAT I and subject tests OR ACT”. Subject tests are recommended anyhow, not required.</p>

6

<p>“Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit up to three SAT subject tests.”
[Johns</a> Hopkins University Office of Undergraduate Admissions - Apply - Standardized Test Requirements](<a href=“http://apply.jhu.edu/apply/testreqs.html]Johns”>http://apply.jhu.edu/apply/testreqs.html)</p>

<p>strsongly encouraged means that if you don’t submit any subject tests, that will be a somewhat-to-significant detriment on your admission, even though test scores aren’t everything.</p>

7

<p>I guess I will submit the scores. I may retake my subject tests in January since the JHU website says they typically arrive in time.</p>